Lecture 8 Spatial Ecology

Question 1

What is the def of landscape?

Answer 1

heterogeneous area consisting of distinctive patches

Question 2

What is the def of patch?

Answer 2

contingous area of defined habitat

Question 3

What is the def of matrix

Answer 3

area between patches

Question 4

what is the def of corridor?

Answer 4

strip of habitat connecting two patches

Question 5

What is the equation for patch shape?

Answer 5

S = P/(2(pi*A)^.5)

Question 6

What does the landscape structure influence?

Answer 6

flow of energy, materials, and species across a landscape

Question 7

What does a landscape structure include?

Answer 7

the area, shape, composition, and position of patches in a landscape

Question 8

What does fragmentation describe?

Answer 8

describes any change in the landscape that creates discontinuities in habitat

Question 9

How are larger patches different from smaller patches?

Answer 9

Larger patches have more individuals but lower densities

Question 10

Species richness increases with island what? Why?

Answer 10

island size.

species coexist better on larger islands where densities are lower

Island size correlates with heterogeneity; larger islands support species with different habitat requirements

Question 11

What happens when there is many species present in the island? (3)

Answer 11

There is a larger pool of extinctions

population size of each species must decrease, increasing the likelihood of extinction
Competitive interactions are more likely to occur

Question 12

Extinction rates decrease with what?

Answer 12

With island size decreasing